June 11 International Day of Solidarity with Marie, Eric and Long-term Anarchist prisoners (USA, Global)

Received from the USA collective June 11th Solidarity. In this time of ecological collapse and social repression let’s show solidarity with our prisoners of resistance, who have paid a high price for their ideals, as well as all those who deny to legitimate the demands of authority, – it’s time to attack again the concepts, symbols and structures of the cruel and exploitative capitalist system.
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June 11th Reminder and Event Suggestions

ANNOUNCEMENT
May 27, 2011

The Day for Solidarity with Long-term Anarchist Prisoners is now two weeks away. June 11th is an open invitation to demonstrate support for Marie Mason and Eric McDavid, who are each serving 20 years. This date provides an opportunity to build links of affinity and solidarity towards the destruction of the prisons and prison-society.

As anarchists, this occasion to support Marie and Eric has been exciting – it’s a practical basis for solidarity, for linking together anti-repression and anti-prison struggles in many places. Currently there is a substantial list of June 11th events occurring across the US and internationally. And there are more to come!

This occasion for solidarity—as an open invitation—can to be responded to however people want, according to their own ideas and contexts. But many people have written asking for suggestions so we wanted to share a quick list of ideas for people who wish to plan events:

*Organize an info-night. Prepare a presentation on these two cases, or about repression more generally and other examples of anarchists who have faced the state’s wrath. Include a movie, such as in San Francisco, or a practical workshop on resisting grand juries and supporting prisoners, such as in Cincinnati. We are happy to help prepare presentations and provide materials if desired.

*Throw a benefit party/show/pancake breakfast/barbeque/picnic, such as in New York City. Both Marie and Eric have serious ongoing legal and logistical costs even though they’ve already been convicted. If you’re facing repression locally and have fundraising needs, we’d invite you to still throw a benefit in conjunction with June 11, to make clear the practical links of solidarity against the state’s conspiracy to wipe out resistance. (Please keep in mind, when organizing food events, that both Marie and Eric are vegan.)

Though Marie and Eric’s cases cannot be simplified to a lack of support, we understand that the state succeeded in imposing such long sentences on Marie and Eric in part because it was able to isolate them, both politically and socially.

In the wake of these long-term sentences, support for Eric & Marie—and for other Green Scare and anarchist prisoners—has relied on the consistency and commitment of their respective families and support crews.

To prevent further repression against them in prison and to break out of the current lull, we need to respond with an upsurge in both ongoing material support AND an end to the political isolation and invisibility experienced by anarchist prisoners. As anarchists, we think there are many ways to improve their visibility that don’t rely on the mass media, but rather on organizing and face-to-face interactions in the street.
“No one should be able to walk down any street . . . without seeing the prisoners’ names written on the walls. And the songs that are sung about them must be heard by all.”

Thus, in particular we encourage people to:

*Organize microphone demos and other very public events. A microphone demo means occupying a corner or a busy park, setting up banners and a sound system, and passing out materials about Marie and Eric and against repression. Switching between music and reading statements over the microphone helps create a good atmosphere, but of course adapt it to your local resources and constraints.

*Put-up posters, and drop banners (only with permission, of course!). Full-color posters were just printed that can be sent your way. Just ask!

*Operas, plays, ballet, like Redbird Prisoner Support in Colombus, OH! They are performing Dario Fo’s Nobel Prize-winning “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”

*Other, wholly-new and original plans that we’d be excited to promote and spread for June 11, 2012, and until every prisoner is free,

-Mid/east June 11 Crew

Expect two more lead-up missives before June 11, including a longer strategy statement! Get organized, and get in touch with us if you need to!